Let’s revitalize your community, together.
Downtowns and historic commercial districts are the cultural and civic hearts of our communities. They also play an important role in Wisconsin’s overall economy, providing spaces for businesses that create vital employment opportunities. But vibrant Main Streets and community corridors don’t just happen. They require planning, nurturing, interest, and action from many stakeholders who share a vision for the future. WEDC’s two downtown programs—the Connect Communities Program and the Wisconsin Main Street Program—can help your community bring that vision to life.
How It Works
When you participate in the Connect Communities Program, your community stakeholders will have access to our Connect Communities network in addition to a wide variety of educational resources, training, and tools to accelerate your new revitalization initiatives. Examples include:
- Regional workshops on pertinent topics
- Annual conference programming
- Regular webinars and discussion calls
- Online resource toolkit and best practice guide
- Regional networking events
- Staff and board orientation training
When you participate in the Wisconsin Main Street Program, your community will receive additional intensive technical assistance from WEDC’s downtown development staff and consultants. We’ll help your community identify initiatives, stakeholders, and resources to ensure that you find success. You’ll also receive tailored support for your businesses and property owners, design assistance, and topical solutions for local challenges. Your participation in the Wisconsin Main Street Program gives you access to the tools you need to ensure your revitalization project is thoughtful, practical, and successful. Examples include:
- Design assistance and inspiration
- Event impact assistance
- Access to demographic and geofencing data on visitors to your district
- Organization strategic planning and benchmarking assistance
- On-site board and committee training
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of communities benefit from the Connect Communities and Main Street Programs?
Connect Communities is a great option for communities of any size—from rural villages to urban metro areas—undertaking new revitalization efforts or looking to provide additional resources to support local commercial district businesses and property owners. Current participants include a diverse array of communities by size and also by geography, with the program supporting the efforts of both emerging and established revitalization projects. Any municipality, nonprofit, or civic organization can participate in the Connect Communities Program, while Main Street participation requires the presence of an organization or board dedicated to downtown revitalization.
What is the application and selection process?
Connect Communities Program applications are accepted twice annually (in the spring and the fall), and up to 20 new communities can be admitted to the program in each fiscal year.
Wisconsin Main Street Program applications are accepted annually each spring, and up to three new communities can be admitted to the program in each fiscal year.
What are the program eligibility requirements?
Applicants to both programs are evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Defined downtown/commercial district
- Need for assistance
- Organizational stability
- Availability of local support and resources
Connect Communities must also provide a letter of support from their municipality and identify at least five individuals who have committed to participating in and engaging with the program.
Main Street applicants must successfully complete one year of Connect Communities participation and demonstrate the presence of an organization dedicated to carrying out revitalization initiatives. The organization must have paid staff and an adequate annual budget for carrying out activities ($40,000 in communities with population fewer than 5,000, or $70,000 in larger communities).
If my community is accepted into the program, are there requirements during our participation?
Connect Communities participants are required to sign a participation agreement with WEDC, pay an annual participation fee of $200, complete regular reporting, and meet annual attendance requirements to remain in the program.
Participating Main Street organizations must maintain required staffing and funding levels, complete regular reporting, and meet annual attendance requirements to remain in the Wisconsin Main Street Program.
What are the common outcomes of participation in WEDC’s downtown development programs?
